Semiconductor memory device

- Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba

According to the embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, a first memory cell, a second memory cell, a third conductive layer, a first contact, a intermediate memory cell, a fourth conductive layer, a third memory cell, a fifth conductive layer, and a second contact. The third conductive layer is separated from the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer in a third direction crossing a first direction and crossing a second direction and extends in the second direction. The fifth conductive layer is separated from the second conductive layer in the third direction and extends in the second direction. A first length of the second conductive layer along the second direction is shorter than a second length of the fifth conductive layer along the second direction.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/216,176, filed on Sep. 9, 2015; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

An embodiment relates to a semiconductor memory device.

BACKGROUND

A cross-point semiconductor memory device in which two conductive layers and a resistance-change layer provided between the layers are provided has been proposed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are schematic sectional views illustrating a semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2A is a schematic sectional view illustrating the semiconductor memory device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 2B is a schematic sectional view illustrating the semiconductor memory device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3A is a schematic sectional view illustrating the semiconductor memory device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3B is a schematic sectional view illustrating the semiconductor memory device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view illustrating the semiconductor memory device according to the embodiment; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of another example of the semiconductor memory device according to the embodiment.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a first-layer first-row first conductive layer, a first-layer second-row first conductive layer, a first-layer first-row memory cell, a first-layer second-row memory cell, a first-layer first-row second conductive layer, a first-layer first-row contact, a second-layer first-row intermediate memory cell, a second-layer first-row first conductive layer, a second-layer first-row memory cell, a second-layer first-row second conductive layer, and a second-layer second-row contact. The first-layer first-row first conductive layer extends in a first direction. The first-layer second-row first conductive layer is separated from the first-layer first-row first conductive layer in a second direction crossing the first direction and extends in the first direction. The first-layer first-row second conductive layer is separated from the first-layer first-row first conductive layer and the first-layer second-row first conductive layer in a third direction crossing the first direction and crossing the second direction and extends in the second direction. The first-layer first-row memory cell is provided between the first-layer first-row second conductive layer and the first-layer first-row first conductive layer. The first-layer second-row memory cell is provided between the first-layer first-row second conductive layer and the first-layer second-row first conductive layer. The first-layer first-row contact is connected to the first-layer first-row second conductive layer. The first-layer first-row contact extends in the third direction between the first-layer first-row first conductive layer and the first-layer second-row first conductive layer. The second-layer first-row second conductive layer is separated from the first-layer first-row second conductive layer in the third direction and extends in the second direction. The second-layer first-row second conductive layer the first-layer first-row second conductive layer is disposed between the second-layer first-row second conductive layer and the first-layer first-row memory cell and between the second-layer first-row second conductive layer and the first-layer second-row memory cell in the third direction. The second-layer first-row intermediate memory cell is provided between the first-layer first-row second conductive layer and the second-layer first-row second conductive layer. The second-layer first-row first conductive layer is provided between the second-layer first-row intermediate memory cell and the second-layer first-row second conductive layer and extends in the first direction. The second-layer first-row memory cell is provided between the second-layer first-row first conductive layer and the second-layer first-row second conductive layer. The second-layer second-row contact is connected to the second-layer first-row second conductive layer. The second-layer second-row contact is separated from the first-layer first-row contact in the second direction and extends in the third direction. The first-layer second-row first conductive layer and the first-layer second-row memory cell are disposed between the second-layer second-row contact and the first-layer first-row contact in the second direction. A first length of the first-layer first-row second conductive layer along the second direction is shorter than a second length of the second-layer first-row second conductive layer along the second direction.

Embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings.

The drawings are schematic and conceptual, and the relationships between the thickness and width of portions, the size ratio among portions, etc., are not necessarily the same as the actual values thereof. Further, the dimensions and proportions may be illustrated differently among drawings, even for identical portions.

In the present specification and drawings, the same elements as those described previously with reference to earlier figures are labeled with like reference numerals, and the detailed description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are schematic sectional views illustrating a semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 1B is the schematic sectional view along line B1-B2 in FIG. 1A.

As shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, a semiconductor memory device 110 according to the embodiment includes a first block BK1 (first layer block), a second block BK2 (second layer block), a third block BK3 (third layer block) and a fourth block BK4 (fourth layer block). These blocks each includes a conductive layer and a memory cell. The conductive layer and the memory cell of the second block BK2 are provided on the first block BK1. The conductive layer and the memory cell of the third block BK3 are provided on the conductive layer and the memory cell of the second block BK2. The conductive layer and the memory cell of the fourth block BK4 are provided on the conductive layer and the memory cell of the third block BK3. Contacts extending in the vertical directions are provided on each of the blocks.

As below, the first block BK1 and the second block BK2 will be described.

The semiconductor memory device 110 includes a first-layer first-row first conductive layer B11, a first-layer second-row first conductive layer B12, a first-layer first-row memory cell CE11, a first-layer second-row memory cell CE12, a first-layer first-row second conductive layer W11, a first-layer first-row contact CT11, a second-layer first-row intermediate memory cell MC21, a second-layer first-row first conductive layer B21, a second-layer first-row memory cell CE21, a second-layer first-row second conductive layer W21, and a second-layer second-row contact CT22.

The first-layer first-row first conductive layer B11 extends in a first direction Dr1. The first-layer second-row first conductive layer B12 is separated from the first-layer first-row first conductive layer B11 in a second direction Dr2 crossing the first direction Dr1 and extends in the first direction Dr1.

The first-layer first-row second conductive layer W11 is separately provided from the first-layer first-row first conductive layer B11 and the first-layer second-row first conductive layer B12 in a third direction Dr3 crossing the first direction Dr1 and crossing the second direction Dr2. The first-layer first-row second conductive layer W11 extends in the second direction Dr2.

The first direction Dr1 is e.g. the Y-direction. The second direction Dr2 is e.g. the X-direction. The third direction Dr3 is e.g. the Z-direction.

The first-layer first-row memory cell CE11 is provided between the first-layer first-row second conductive layer W11 and the first-layer first-row first conductive layer B11. The first-layer second-row memory cell CE12 is provided between the first-layer first-row second conductive layer W11 and the first-layer second-row first conductive layer B12.

The first-layer first-row contact CT11 is connected to the first-layer first-row second conductive layer W11. The first-layer first-row contact CT11 extends in the third direction Dr3 between the first-layer first-row first conductive layer B11 and the first-layer second-row first conductive layer B12.

The second-layer first-row second conductive layer W21 is separated from the first-layer first-row second conductive layer W11 in the third direction Dr3 and extends in the second direction Dr2. The first-layer first-row second conductive layer W11 is disposed between the second-layer first-row second conductive layer W21 and the first-layer first-row memory cell CE11 and between the second-layer first-row second conductive layer W21 and the first-layer second-row memory cell CE12 in the third direction Dr3.

The second-layer first-row intermediate memory cell MC21 is provided between the first-layer first-row second conductive layer W11 and the second-layer first-row second conductive layer W21.

The second-layer first-row first conductive layer B21 is provided between the second-layer first-row intermediate memory cell MC21 and the second-layer first-row second conductive layer W21 and extends in the first direction Dr1.

The second-layer first-row memory cell CE21 is provided between the second-layer first-row first conductive layer B21 and the second-layer first-row second conductive layer W21.

The second-layer second-row contact CT22 is connected to the second-layer first-row second conductive layer W21. The second-layer second-row contact CT22 is separated from the first-layer first-row contact CT11 in the second direction Dr2 and extends in the third direction Dr3.

The first-layer second-row first conductive layer B12 and the first-layer second-row memory cell CE12 are disposed between the second-layer second-row contact CT22 and the first-layer first-row contact CT11 in the second direction Dr2. In the second direction Dr2, a third portion W11c of the first-layer first-row second conductive layer W11 is disposed between the second-layer second-row contact CT22 and the first-layer first-row contact CT11.

A first length L1 of the first-layer first-row second conductive layer W11 along the second direction Dr2 is shorter than a second length L2 of the second-layer first-row second conductive layer W21 along the second direction Dr2.

The first-layer first-row first conductive layer B11 is e.g. a bit line BL. The first-layer first-row second conductive layer W11 is e.g. a word line WL. The first-layer first-row memory cell CE11 is provided between the first-layer first-row first conductive layer B11 and the first-layer first-row second conductive layer W11.

For instance, when a voltage VT is applied between the first-layer first-row first conductive layer B11 (bit line BL) and the first-layer first-row second conductive layer W11 (word line WL1), a current flows in the first-layer first-row memory cell CE11.

For instance, When a voltage VR lower than the voltage VT is applied between the first-layer first-row first conductive layer B11 (bit line BL) and the first-layer first-row second conductive layer W11 (word line WL1), a current is harder to flow in the first-layer first-row memory cell CE11. In the first-layer first-row memory cell CE11, the magnitude of the current changes in response to the applied voltage.

A thickness t2 of the second-layer first-row second conductive layer W21 along the third direction Dr3 is larger than a thickness t1 of the first-layer first-row second conductive layer W11 along the third direction Dr3.

The first-layer first-row second conductive layer W11 includes a first portion W11a, a second portion W11b, and the third portion W11c provided between the first portion W11a and the second portion W11b. The third portion W11c is connected to the first-layer first-row contact CT11.

A first distance D1 of the first portion W11a along the second direction Dr2 is nearly equal to a second distance D2 of the second portion W11b along the second direction Dr2. The first distance D1 is e.g. 0.8 to 1.2 times the second distance D2.

The semiconductor memory device 110 according to the embodiment further includes a first-layer third-row first conductive layer B13, a first-layer fourth-row first conductive layer B14, a first-layer third-row memory cell CE13, a first-layer fourth-row memory cell CE14, a first-layer third-row second conductive layer W13, a first-layer third-row contact CT13, a second-layer third-row intermediate memory cell MC23, a second-layer third-row first conductive layer B23, and a second-layer third-row memory cell CE23.

The first-layer fourth-row first conductive layer B14 is separated from the first-layer second-row first conductive layer B12 in the second direction Dr2 and extends in the first direction Dr1. The first-layer third-row first conductive layer B13 is provided between the first-layer fourth-row first conductive layer B14 and the second-layer second-row contact CT22 and extends in the first direction Dr1.

The first-layer third-row second conductive layer W13 is separated from the first-layer third-row first conductive layer B13 and the first-layer fourth-row first conductive layer B14 in the third direction Dr3, separated from the first-layer first-row second conductive layer W11 in the second direction Dr2, and extends in the second direction Dr2.

The first-layer third-row memory cell CE13 is provided between the first-layer third-row second conductive layer W13 and the first-layer third-row first conductive layer B13. The first-layer fourth-row memory cell CE14 is provided between the first-layer third-row second conductive layer W13 and the first-layer fourth-row first conductive layer B14.

The first-layer third-row contact CT13 is connected to the first-layer third-row second conductive layer W13. The first-layer third-row contact CT13 extends in the third direction Dr3 between the first-layer third-row first conductive layer B13 and the first-layer fourth-row first conductive layer B14.

The second-layer third-row intermediate memory cell MC23 is provided between the first-layer third-row second conductive layer W13 and the second-layer first-row second conductive layer W21. The second-layer third-row first conductive layer B23 is provided between the second-layer third-row intermediate memory cell MC23 and the second-layer first-row second conductive layer W21 and extends in the first direction. The second-layer third-row memory cell CE23 is provided between the second-layer third-row first conductive layer B23 and the second-layer first-row second conductive layer W21.

The second-layer second-row contact CT22 is disposed between the first-layer first-row second conductive layer W11 and the first-layer third-row second conductive layer W13. The second-layer second-row contact CT22 is disposed between the second-layer first-row intermediate memory cell MC21 and the second-layer third-row intermediate memory cell MC23. The second-layer second-row contact CT22 is disposed between the second-layer first-row first conductive layer B21 and the second-layer third-row first conductive layer B23. The second-layer second-row contact CT22 is disposed between the second-layer first-row memory cell CE21 and the second-layer third-row memory cell CE23.

The second-layer first-row second conductive layer W21 includes a fourth portion W21d, a fifth portion W21e, and a sixth portion W21f provided between the fourth portion W21d and the fifth portion W21e. The sixth portion W21f is connected to the second-layer second-row contact CT22.

A fourth distance D4 of the fourth portion W21d along the second direction Dr2 is nearly equal to a fifth distance D5 of the fifth portion W21e along the second direction Dr2. The fourth distance D4 is e.g. 0.8 to 1.2 times the fifth distance D5.

The semiconductor memory device 110 according to the embodiment further includes a first transistor TR1, a second transistor TR2, and a third transistor TR3. The first transistor TR1 is electrically connected to the first-layer first-row contact CT11. The second transistor TR2 is electrically connected to the second-layer second-row contact CT22. The third transistor TR3 is electrically connected to the first-layer third-row contact CT13.

As described above, the semiconductor memory device 110 according to the embodiment includes a plurality of the first blocks BK1, a plurality of the second blocks BK2, the third block BK3, and the fourth block BK4. The plurality of first blocks BK1 are arranged in the second direction Dr2. The plurality of second blocks BK2 are arranged in the second direction Dr2.

One of the plurality of first blocks BK1 includes e.g. the first-layer first-row first conductive layer B11, the first-layer second-row first conductive layer B12, the first-layer first-row memory cell CE11, the first-layer second-row memory cell CE12, the first-layer first-row second conductive layer W11, and the first-layer first-row contact CT11.

One of the plurality of second blocks BK2 includes e.g. the second-layer first-row intermediate memory cell MC21, the second-layer first-row first conductive layer B21, the second-layer first-row memory cell CE21, the second-layer first-row second conductive layer W21, the second-layer second-row contact CT22, the second-layer third-row intermediate memory cell MC23, the second-layer third-row first conductive layer B23, and the second-layer third-row memory cell CE23.

In the embodiment, for instance, when a 1000 bit lines respectively extend in the first direction Dr1 and are arranged in the second direction Dr2, the 1000 bit lines are divided in five regions. One region includes 200 bit lines. The distance between the 200th bit line and the 201st bit line is larger than the distance between the first bit line and the second bit line. The contact is provided between the 200th bit line and the 201st bit line.

In a cross-point memory such as ReRAM (Resistance Random Access Memory), as the number of memory cells is larger, the lengths of the bit lines and the word lines are larger. When voltages are applied from the transistors to the bit lines and the word lines, if the lengths of the bit lines and the word lines are larger, the voltages applied to the memory cells become non-constant due to reduction of the voltages. Thereby, fluctuations of the voltages applied to the memory cells may be larger.

In this regard, in the semiconductor memory device 110 according to the embodiment, the first length L1 of the first-layer first-row second conductive layer W11 along the second direction Dr2 is shorter than the second length L2 of the second-layer first-row second conductive layer W21 along the second direction Dr2.

When a voltage is applied between the first-layer first-row first conductive layer B11 and the first-layer first-row second conductive layer W11, the reduction of the voltage is small. Thereby, for instance, the voltages applied to the memory cells (CE11, CE12) in a first layer 1L are more equalized than the voltages applied to the memory cells (CE21, CE22, CE23, CE24) in a second layer 2L. That is, the fluctuations of the voltages applied to the memory cells become smaller.

As a result, it is possible to provide a semiconductor memory device that can improve operation stability.

In the semiconductor memory device 110 according to the embodiment, a layer including the first-layer first-row second conductive layer W11, the first-layer third-row second conductive layer W13, the first-layer first-row contact CT11, and the first-layer third-row contact CT13 is e.g. the first layer 1L. A layer including the second-layer first-row second conductive layer W21 and the second-layer second-row contact CT22 is e.g. the second layer 2L.

The first-layer first-row second conductive layer W11 and the first transistor TR1 are electrically connected, and the first-layer third-row second conductive layer W13 and the third transistor TR3 are electrically connected. The second-layer first-row second conductive layer W21 and the second transistor TR2 are electrically connected.

The number of transistors electrically connected to the second layer 2L is smaller than the number of transistors electrically connected to the first layer 1L. For instance, the number of transistors electrically connected to the second layer 2L is a half of the number of transistors electrically connected to the first layer 1L. Thereby, it is possible to secure operation stability in the upper layers farther from the substrate in which the operation is likely to be unstable. Since the number of transistors is smaller, power consumption may be lower. Further, the device is miniaturized.

The third layer (third block BK3) and the fourth layer (fourth block BK4) have e.g. the same configurations as the above described first layer (first block BK1) and the second layer (second block BK2).

FIG. 2A is a schematic sectional view illustrating the semiconductor memory device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 2A is the schematic sectional view along line C1-C2 in FIG. 1A.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the semiconductor memory device 110 according to the embodiment further includes a plurality of fifth-layer first conductive layers B5, a plurality of fourth-layer first-row second conductive layers W41, a plurality of fourth-layer first-row contacts CT41, a plurality of fourth-layer eighth-row contacts CT48, and a plurality of fifth-layer contacts CTB5. The respective fifth-layer first conductive layers B5 and the respective fourth-layer first-row second conductive layers W41 cross.

One end of each fourth-layer first-row second conductive layer W41 is connected to one of the plurality of fourth-layer first-row contacts CT41. The other end of each fourth-layer first-row second conductive layer W41 is connected to one of the plurality of fourth-layer eighth-row contacts CT48. One end of each fifth-layer first conductive layer B5 is connected to one of the plurality of fifth-layer contacts CTB5.

The respective plurality of fifth-layer first conductive layers B5 extend in the first direction Dr1. The respective plurality of fourth-layer first-row second conductive layers W41 extend in the second direction Dr2. The respective plurality of fifth-layer contacts CTB5 extend in the third direction Dr3. The respective plurality of fourth-layer eighth-row contacts CT48 extend in the third direction Dr3.

FIG. 2B is a schematic sectional view illustrating the semiconductor memory device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 2B is the schematic sectional view along line F1-F2 in FIG. 1A.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the semiconductor memory device 110 according to the embodiment further includes a plurality of fourth-layer first conductive layers B4, a plurality of third-layer first-row second conductive layers W31, a plurality of fourth-layer contacts CTB4, and a plurality of third-layer fourth-row contacts CT34. The respective fourth-layer first conductive layers B4 and the respective third-layer first-row second conductive layers W31 cross.

One of the plurality of third-layer first-row second conductive layers W31 and one of the plurality of third-layer fourth-row contacts CT34 are connected. One of the plurality of fourth-layer first conductive layers B4 and one of the plurality of fourth-layer contacts CTB4 are connected.

The respective plurality of fourth-layer first conductive layers B4 extend in the first direction Dr1. The respective plurality of third-layer first-row second conductive layers W31 extend in the second direction Dr2. The respective plurality of fourth-layer contacts CTB4 extend in the third direction Dr3. The respective plurality of third-layer fourth-row contacts CT34 extend in the third direction Dr3.

FIG. 3A is a schematic sectional view illustrating the semiconductor memory device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3A is the schematic sectional view along line G1-G2 in FIG. 1A.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the semiconductor memory device 110 according to the embodiment further includes a plurality of third-layer first conductive layers B3, a plurality of second-layer first-row second conductive layers W21, and a plurality of second-layer second-row contacts CT22. The respective third-layer first conductive layers B3 and the respective second-layer first-row second conductive layers W21 cross.

One of the plurality of second-layer first-row second conductive layers W21 and one of the second-layer second-row contacts CT22 are connected. One end of each of the respective third-layer first conductive layers B3 is connected to one of the plurality of fifth-layer contacts CTB5.

The respective plurality of third-layer first conductive layers B3 extend in the first direction Dr1. The respective plurality of second-layer first-row second conductive layers W21 extend in the second direction Dr2. The respective plurality of second-layer second-row contacts CT22 extend in the third direction Dr3.

The semiconductor memory device 110 according to the embodiment further includes a plurality of second-layer fifth-row second conductive layers W25 and a plurality of second-layer sixth-row contacts CT26. The respective third-layer first conductive layers B3 and the respective second-layer fifth-row second conductive layers W25 cross.

One of the plurality of second-layer fifth-row second conductive layers W25 and one of the plurality of second-layer sixth-row contacts CT26 are connected.

The respective plurality of second-layer fifth-row second conductive layers W25 extend in the second direction Dr2. The respective plurality of second-layer sixth-row contacts CT26 extend in the third direction Dr3.

FIG. 3B is a schematic sectional view illustrating the semiconductor memory device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3B is the schematic sectional view along line H1-H2 in FIG. 1A.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the semiconductor memory device 110 according to the embodiment further includes a plurality of second-layer first-row first conductive layers B21, a plurality of second-layer second-row first conductive layers B22, a plurality of first-layer first-row second conductive layers W11, and a plurality of first-layer first-row contacts CT11.

The respective second-layer first-row first conductive layers B21 and the respective first-layer first-row second conductive layers W11 cross. The respective second-layer second-row first conductive layers B22 and the respective first-layer first-row second conductive layers W11 cross. One of the plurality of first-layer first-row second conductive layers and one of the plurality of first-layer first-row contacts CT11 are connected. One of the plurality of second-layer first-row first conductive layers B21 and one of the plurality of fourth-layer contacts CTB4 are connected.

The respective plurality of second-layer first-row first conductive layers B21 extend in the first direction Dr1. The respective plurality of second-layer second-row first conductive layers B22 extend in the first direction Dr1. The respective plurality of first-layer first-row second conductive layers W11 extend in the second direction Dr2. The respective plurality of first-layer first-row contacts CT11 extend in the third direction Dr3.

The semiconductor memory device 110 according to the embodiment further includes a plurality of second-layer third-row first conductive layers B23, a plurality of second-layer fourth-row first conductive layers B24, a plurality of first-layer third-row second conductive layers W13, and a plurality of first-layer third-row contacts CT13.

The respective second-layer third-row first conductive layers B23 and the respective first-layer third-row second conductive layers W13 cross. The respective second-layer fourth-row first conductive layers B24 and the respective first-layer third-row second conductive layers W13 cross. One of the plurality of first-layer third-row second conductive layers W13 and one of the plurality of first-layer third-row contacts CT13 are connected. One of the plurality of second-layer third-row first conductive layers B23 and one of the plurality of fourth-layer contacts CTB4 are connected.

The respective plurality of second-layer third-row first conductive layers B23 extend in the first direction Dr1. The respective plurality of second-layer fourth-row first conductive layers B24 extend in the first direction Dr1. The respective plurality of first-layer third-row second conductive layers W13 extend in the second direction Dr2. The respective plurality of first-layer third-row contacts CT13 extend in the third direction Dr3.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view illustrating the semiconductor memory device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is the schematic sectional view along line J1-J2 in FIG. 1A.

As shown in FIG. 4, the semiconductor memory device 110 according to the embodiment further includes a plurality of first-layer first-row first conductive layers B11, a plurality of first-layer first-row second conductive layers B12, a plurality of first-layer third-row first conductive layers B13, and a plurality of first-layer first-row fourth conductive layers B14.

The respective pluralities of first-layer first-row to fourth-row first conductive layers B11 to B14 extend in the first direction Dr1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of another example of the semiconductor memory device according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, in a semiconductor memory device 120 according to the embodiment, a plurality of third-layer first-row contacts CT31 are provided in place of the plurality of fourth-layer first-row contacts CT41. A plurality of third-layer eighth-row contacts CT38 are provided in place of the plurality of fourth-layer eighth-row contacts CT48. A plurality of fourth-layer fourth-row contacts CT44 are provided in place of the plurality of third-layer fourth-row contacts CT34. A plurality of third-layer second-row second conductive layers W32 and a plurality of third-layer fifth-row second conductive layers W35 are provided in place of the plurality of third-layer first-row second conductive layers W31.

The respective plurality of third-layer fifth-row second conductive layers W35 are arranged with the respective plurality of third-layer second-row second conductive layers W32 in the second direction Dr2. One of the plurality of fourth-layer fourth-row contacts CT44 is provided between one of the plurality of third-layer second-row second conductive layers W32 and one of the plurality of third-layer fifth-row second conductive layers W35. One of the plurality of fourth-layer first-row second conductive layers W41 and one of the plurality of fourth-layer fourth-row contacts CT44 are connected. One end of one of the plurality of third-layer second-row second conductive layers W32 and one of the plurality of third-layer first-row contacts CT31 are connected. One end of one of the plurality of third-layer fifth-row second conductive layers W35 and one of the plurality of third-layer eighth-row contacts CT38 are connected.

The fourth-layer first-row second conductive layers W41, the third-layer second-row second conductive layers W32, and the third-layer fifth-row second conductive layers W35 are e.g. word lines. The word line with one end connected to the contact is not necessarily the word line in the uppermost layer, e.g., W41 shown in FIG. 5. One end of the word line in the second layer from the top e.g. the third-layer second-row second conductive layer W32 and the contact may be connected. For instance, one end of the third-layer fifth-row second conductive layer W35 and the contact may be connected.

According to the embodiment, it is possible to provide a semiconductor memory device capable of improving operation stability.

Various other variations and modifications can be conceived by those skilled in the art within the spirit of the invention, and it is understood that such variations and modifications are also encompassed within the scope of the invention.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A semiconductor memory device comprising:

a first-layer first-row first conductive layer extending in a first direction;
a first-layer second-row first conductive layer separated from the first-layer first-row first conductive layer in a second direction crossing the first direction and extending in the first direction;
a first-layer first-row second conductive layer separated from the first-layer first-row first conductive layer and the first-layer second-row first conductive layer in a third direction crossing the first direction and crossing the second direction and extending in the second direction;
a first-layer first-row memory cell provided between the first-layer first-row second conductive layer and the first-layer first-row first conductive layer;
a first-layer second-row memory cell provided between the first-layer first-row second conductive layer and the first-layer second-row first conductive layer;
a first-layer first-row contact connected to the first-layer first-row second conductive layer and extending in the third direction between the first-layer first-row first conductive layer and the first-layer second-row first conductive layer;
a second-layer first-row second conductive layer separated from the first-layer first-row second conductive layer in the third direction and extending in the second direction, the first-layer first-row second conductive layer being disposed between the second-layer first-row second conductive layer and the first-layer first-row memory cell and between the second-layer first-row second conductive layer and the first-layer second-row memory cell in the third direction;
a second-layer first-row intermediate memory cell provided between the first-layer first-row second conductive layer and the second-layer first-row second conductive layer;
a second-layer first-row first conductive layer provided between the second-layer first-row intermediate memory cell and the second-layer first-row second conductive layer and extending in the first direction;
a second-layer first-row memory cell provided between the second-layer first-row first conductive layer and the second-layer first-row second conductive layer; and
a second-layer second-row contact connected to the second-layer first-row second conductive layer, separated from the first-layer first-row contact in the second direction, and extending in the third direction, the first-layer second-row first conductive layer and the first-layer second-row memory cell being disposed between the second-layer second-row contact and the first-layer first-row contact in the second direction,
a first length of the first-layer first-row second conductive layer along the second direction being shorter than a second length of the second-layer first-row second conductive layer along the second direction.

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first-layer fourth-row first conductive layer separated from the first-layer second-row first conductive layer in the second direction and extending in the first direction;
a first-layer third-row first conductive layer provided between the first-layer fourth-row first conductive layer and the second-layer second-row contact and extending in the first direction;
a first-layer third-row second conductive layer separated from the first-layer third-row first conductive layer and the first-layer fourth-row first conductive layer in the third direction, separated from the first-layer first-row second conductive layer in the second direction, and extending in the second direction, the second-layer second-row contact being disposed between the first-layer first-row second conductive layer and the first-layer third-row second conductive layer;
a first-layer third-row memory cell provided between the first-layer third-row second conductive layer and the first-layer third-row first conductive layer;
a first-layer fourth-row memory cell provided between the first-layer third-row second conductive layer and the first-layer fourth-row first conductive layer;
a first-layer third-row contact connected to the first-layer third-row second conductive layer and extending in the third direction between the first-layer third-row first conductive layer and the first-layer fourth-row first conductive layer;
a second-layer third-row intermediate memory cell provided between the first-layer third-row second conductive layer and the second-layer first-row second conductive layer, the second-layer second-row contact being disposed between the second-layer first-row intermediate memory cell and the second-layer third-row intermediate memory cell;
a second-layer third-row first conductive layer provided between the second-layer third-row intermediate memory cell and the second-layer first-row second conductive layer and extending in the first direction, the second-layer second-row contact being disposed between the second-layer first-row first conductive layer and the second-layer third-row first conductive layer; and
a second-layer third-row memory cell provided between the second-layer third-row first conductive layer and the second-layer first-row second conductive layer, the second-layer second-row contact being disposed between the second-layer first-row memory cell and the second-layer third-row memory cell.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the second-layer first-row second conductive layer along the third direction is larger than a thickness of the first-layer first-row second conductive layer along the third direction.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first-layer first-row second conductive layer includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion provided between the first portion and the second portion,

the third portion is connected to the first-layer first-row contact, and
a first distance of the first portion along the second direction is 0.8 to 1.2 times a second distance of the second portion along the second direction.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second-layer first-row second conductive layer includes a fourth portion, a fifth portion, and a sixth portion provided between the fourth portion and the fifth portion,

the sixth portion is connected to the second-layer second-row contact, and
a fourth distance of the fourth portion along the second direction is 0.8 to 1.2 times a fifth distance of the fifth portion along the second direction.

6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first transistor (TR1) electrically connected to the first-layer first-row contact; and
a second transistor (TR2) electrically connected to the second-layer second-row contact.

7. The device according to claim 2, further comprising a third transistor electrically connected to the first-layer third-row contact.

8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first-layer first-row posterior first conductive layer separately provided from the first-layer first-row first conductive layer in the first direction and extending in the first direction;
a fourth-layer first-row intermediate contact provided between the first-layer first-row first conductive layer and the first-layer first-row posterior first conductive layer, extending in the third direction, and electrically connected to the second-layer first-row first conductive layer;
a fourth-layer first-row anterior contact extending in the third direction and electrically connected to the first-layer first-row first conductive layer, the first-layer first-row first conductive layer being disposed between the fourth-layer first-row anterior contact and the fourth-layer first-row intermediate contact; and
a fourth-layer first-row posterior contact extending in the third direction and electrically connected to the first-layer first-row posterior first conductive layer, the first-layer first-row posterior first conductive layer being disposed between the fourth-layer first-row posterior contact and the fourth-layer first-row intermediate contact.

9. A semiconductor memory device comprising:

a plurality of bit lines extending in a first direction;
a plurality of word lines extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, the plurality of word lines alternately being arranged with the plurality of bit lines in a third direction crossing the first direction and crossing the second direction; and
a memory cell provided between one of the plurality of bit lines and one of the plurality of word lines,
a length along the first direction of another one of the bit lines disposed separately from the one of the bit lines in the third direction being larger than a length of the one of the bit lines along the first direction, or
a length along the first direction of another one of the word lines disposed separately from the one of the word lines in the third direction being larger than a length of the one of the word lines along the first direction.

10. The device according to claim 9, further comprising:

a bit line contact extending in the third direction and electrically connected to the other one of the plurality of bit lines; and
a word line contact extending in the third direction and electrically connected to the other one of the plurality of word lines,
the plurality of bit lines including still another one of the plurality of bit lines separated from the one of the plurality of bit lines in the first direction,
the plurality of word lines including still another one of the plurality of word lines separated from the one of the plurality of word lines in the second direction;
the bit line contact being disposed between the one of the plurality of bit lines and the still other one of the plurality of bit lines, or
the word line contact being disposed between the one of the plurality of word lines and the still other one of the plurality of word lines.

11. The device according to claim 9, further comprising:

an intermediate contact;
an anterior contact; and
a posterior contact,
the plurality of bit lines including still another one of the plurality of bit lines separately provided from the one of the plurality of bit lines in the first direction and extending in the first direction;
the intermediate contact being provided between the one of the plurality of bit lines and the still other one of the plurality of bit lines, extending in the third direction, and electrically connected to the other one of the bit lines;
the anterior contact extending in the third direction and electrically connected to the one of the plurality of bit lines, the one of the plurality of bit lines being disposed between the anterior contact and the intermediate contact; and
the posterior contact extending in the third direction and electrically connected to the still other one of the plurality of bit lines, the still another one of the plurality of bit lines being disposed between the posterior contact and the intermediate contact.
Referenced Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
7291878 November 6, 2007 Stipe
7663900 February 16, 2010 Stipe
8097903 January 17, 2012 Inaba
20090168481 July 2, 2009 Stipe
20100264393 October 21, 2010 Mikawa
Patent History
Patent number: 9553132
Type: Grant
Filed: Mar 14, 2016
Date of Patent: Jan 24, 2017
Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Minato-ku)
Inventors: Yusuke Kobayashi (Kuwana), Yoshihisa Iwata (Yokohama), Takeshi Sugimoto (Yokohama)
Primary Examiner: Thao P Le
Application Number: 15/069,378
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Insulated Gate Capacitor Or Insulated Gate Transistor Combined With Capacitor (e.g., Dynamic Memory Cell) (257/296)
International Classification: H01L 29/04 (20060101); H01L 27/24 (20060101); H01L 23/528 (20060101);